A list of the top 36 was just sent to us via e-mail. How reliable is this list? It looks like it! We've talked to JoesPlace and done some more research and we're all pretty sure this is right. So here you go, without further ado, more likely than not, your top 36 (click read more for the list). That's a pretty big spoiler!

also jason castros bro and the girl from va beach her last name is barton. there r a few who did not make the list i wanted to see more well i guess it will b like last year where i don't give a crap till like the final 10-2 i love jason castro last yr and david cook glade he won. but i did not realy look fw to seeing the other contestant..david cook had me for sure when he sang the swithch foot song dare u to move.. love swithch foot..

All four American Idol judges are now in agreement that the eighth season's male contestants are stronger than their female counterparts.

"I think a guy is going to win," Paula Abdul told The Los Angeles Times prior to Sunday night's Grammy Awards ceremony. "There are more guys than girls. There are a handful of great girls, but the guys are really great."

Cowell stated last month that he was "100%" sure a guy would win Idol's eighth season; DioGuardi subsequently told reporters during a conference call that "the males were the strongest;" and Jackson follow suit by stating last month that the "boys have the edge."

Idol's coverage of the eighth season's Hollywood Week will continue with Tuesday's broadcast of the week's third-round performances.

Although their identities appear to have already leaked online, Idol will formally reveal the eighth season's Top 36 semifinalists during next Wednesday's broadcast.

"It's going to be a colorful season," Abdul told The Times. "Lots of fun. And seriously great singers too."

The Idol producers gave her such a bad edit that i'm sure half of America hates her now.And why Top 36? When we have always been doing fine with Top 24?Sigh, i like the introducing of Wildcard Round back.. but why can't the judges just get rid of another 12 who didn't make the cut and spare us the voteoff of another 12 contestants? Saves so much time!

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"The Amazing Race shows the best and worst out of you. But if only negative things are shown, then it's probably you. - Jobby"

The Idol producers gave her such a bad edit that i'm sure half of America hates her now.And why Top 36? When we have always been doing fine with Top 24?Sigh, i like the introducing of Wildcard Round back.. but why can't the judges just get rid of another 12 who didn't make the cut and spare us the voteoff of another 12 contestants? Saves so much time!

I agree, top 54? We don't even know who they all are! I really and truly am praying Tatiana doesn't make the cut, you just KNOW she'll be the VFTW pick.

And they are changing it to become Top 36, splitted into 3 groups of 12 and then the top 3 votes from each group will move on to the top 12? I don't really like that. It's just base on ONE vote and then the contestant will be certified a top 12 spot. And the one who has to go through the wildcard round actually has another chance to perform and more screen and airtime and possibly another chance to WOW America, which is actually a disadvantage to the more popular contestants who got through to the top 12 straight away.

I love the format of the top 24 that we have had since season 4, just that they had to think of a way to add the wildcard in. Or why can't they just get a top 24, have 8 perform each night (longer songs to let us hear them more and more of their talent!) and 3 will make it? That will saves the viewers the trouble of having to select out of so many contestants to vote!!

This season is getting weird all over again.

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"The Amazing Race shows the best and worst out of you. But if only negative things are shown, then it's probably you. - Jobby"

Auditions ended tonight for the eighth season as the Top 36 semi-finalists were revealed by Simon, Paula, Randy and Kara. It's now up to America to decide who advances in the competition and moves one step closer to become the next American Idol. The 36 hopefuls will be split into three groups of 12, and for three consecutive weeks, one group will perform each week. The live performance shows air Tuesday, February 17 8/7c, Wednesday, February 25 8/7c and Tuesday, March 3 8/7c on FOX.

At the end of each performance show, viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestants for at least two hours in their region. Fans can use the branded toll-free telephone numbers until 12:00 AM ET/PT (11:00PM CT/MT), subject to time zone restrictions. Additionally, for two hours at the end of the show in their region, AT&T Wireless subscribers can use their cell phones and text the word "Vote" to the four-digit short number representing the contestant of their choice.

Then on the weekly live results shows airing Wednesday, February 18 8/7c, Thursday, February 26 8/7c and Wednesday, March 4 8/7c, Ryan Seacrest will announce the three semin-finalists -- the top male, the top female and the next top vote-recipient -- America has chosen to move on in the competition.

On Thursday, March 5 8/7c, the special "Wild Card" episode will feature the judges' favorite remaining contestants battling it out live for a coveted spot in the next phase of the competition.

Then on the weekly live results shows airing Wednesday, February 18 8/7c, Thursday, February 26 8/7c and Wednesday, March 4 8/7c, Ryan Seacrest will announce the three semin-finalists -- the top male, the top female and the next top vote-recipient -- America has chosen to move on in the competition.

NOW, that would be good. A top male, a top female and a top vote receipient. Now i have nothing to say about weird voting methods. This seems more appropriate.

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"The Amazing Race shows the best and worst out of you. But if only negative things are shown, then it's probably you. - Jobby"

Hot damn, Joanna Pacitti has been disqualified from American Idol! Our work has finally paid off!

It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. AMERICAN IDOL contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36, L.A. Times reports.

A source close to the show now tells us that Pacitti was disqualified to "avoid the appearance of impropriety." (meaning they got caught planting her... the other plants haven't been caught yet and stay on the show)

In the past week, tabloids had been reporting on a private relationship between Pacitti and executives of 19 Management - one of the companies which oversees Idol.

How awesome is this? We finally helped get one of the plants kicked to the curb and someone like Felicia who actually deserves a shot is given one. Win win all around. VFTW Victory!

Wow, VFTW is just so hateful.

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"The Amazing Race shows the best and worst out of you. But if only negative things are shown, then it's probably you. - Jobby"

yea felica is from virginia beach where i live..and i for got about joann and her bk ground ty ty for jogging my memory..felica is what ai is sosposto b not plant recording artise in and make them screw up for the cameras so it look ligit, jmo yea i posted on another thread i liked the new voteing system but i am realy looking fw to c img how it actuly is going to work. i hope it is not going to b a bad thing.. could b a good thing ..